Professional Documents
Culture Documents
http://www.deepskysoftware.net
By Jack Huerkamp
Introduction
From 1968 through the beginning of 2004, I was a “visual” observer. In the Fall of 2004,
I obtained a MallinCam B&W PRO and a MallinCam II Color, upgraded to the
MallinCam ULTRAs when they were introduced, and am now using MallinCam Color
and B&W HYPER PLUS models – the latest versions of the cameras manufactured by
Rock Mallin.
My #1 TIP: Spend time on achieving the best focus. I set the MallinCams to the 2.1
second imaging mode, look at the monitor and tweak the focus. I wait 2.1 seconds and
see if the fainter stars begin to appear. If so, I tweak again until I see the faintest stars
on the monitor. This, to me, indicates the best achievable focus.
MallinCam Controls
Rear of the MallinCam showing the OSD Buttons, the BNC Video Output
Connection, the S-Video Output Connection, the RS-232 Connection for
Menu Adjustment Via a Computer, the Power Connection and the
Power On Light
This is the main menu on all MallinCam Video Observational Systems. Simply press
the middle button on the On Screen Display (OSD) on the rear of the camera for 2
seconds to access this page. The “>” next to a function indicates which SUB MENU will
be accessed. Simply press the middle button again to access the SUB MENU of the
function by the arrow. In the case of TITLE, pressing the left or right button will turn the
TITLE feature ON or OFF. If TITLE is ON, the title that you created will be displayed on
the live video screen. The TITLE can be up to 12 characters long.
SENSE UP (Sensitivity)
This menu item will increase the frame integration of the CCD sensor from X2 (1/30th of
a second) to X128 (2.1 seconds). To operate the external HYPER switches (explained
later), the camera must have SENSE UP set to X128.
This is the “Shutter Speed”. To select either ALC or ELC, lightly push the LEFT or
RIGHT OSD button to change between the two. In ALC mode, there are numerous
preset shutter speeds used for planetary, lunar and solar (with proper filtration)
observing. Shutter speeds down to 1/12,000th second are available. When observing
deep sky objects (DSOs), ALC must be set to OFF. To access the preset exposures,
lightly push the center OSD button for 2 seconds and the menu will appear. The shutter
speeds are listed by their denominator. For example, 1/12,000th second is shown as
“12000”. In ELC mode, the shutter can be made totally variable by adjusting the LEVEL
bar LEFT or RIGHT while observing the monitor.
AGC (Gain)
This is perhaps the most important function in the menu. AGC controls
the final GAIN of the camera. For LIVE and IMAGING modes, setting the AGC to MAN
(MANUAL) is recommended. Lightly push the LEFT or RIGHT OSD button to tile
through ON, MAN, and OFF. Use MAN at all times when observing DSOs. Start with
the LEVEL bar set to the middle position in MANual mode and adjust as necessary to
achieve the best live view on the monitor. For lunar, planetary and solar (with proper
filtratin) observing, set the AGC to OFF and use the shutter settings under ALC/ELC to
obtain the best live view.
Whenever AGC is adjusted, the SENSE UP will reset and the camera should be left in
the 2.1 second (HYPER OFF) mode (explained later) for 3 minutes while the camera
achieves full integration.
If amplifier glow appears in the upper/left corner of the monitor, the AGC is set too high.
Reduce the AGC, allow the camera to achieve full integration and then go back to the
HYPER mode (explained later).
White Balance is a function for the MallinCam Color HYPER and HYPER PLUS
cameras. There are three OPTIONs available – ATW (Auto Trace White Balance),
AWC (One Push White Balance) and Manual. For most DSO observing in dark skies,
ATW is recommended. Under urban, light polluted skies, Manual mode in the USER
preset option is recommended. Separate RED and BLUE adjustments are possible to
achieve the most pleasing live view under light polluted sky conditions.
SYNC
The SYNC function is set at the factory depending upon whether the camera is an
NTSC model (US, Canada, Mexico or Japan, generally) or PAL. It is not adjustable.
OPTION
The MASK function is used to block any bright object in the field of view from affecting
the rest of the objects in the screen. 48 programmable zones exist and their size and
location can be set.
H REV AND V REV are used to flip up and down and left and right the image seen on
the monitor. This is ideal for matching the image on the monitor to the object in the sky.
The moon is a prime example of when these functions can be used.
FREEZE is used to freeze the current image on the monitor. Lightly pressing the
center OSD button will freeze the image and pressing the button a second time will un-
freeze the image.
GAMMA will darken the monitor background depending on the setting. 0.45 is
recommended for high resolution CRT monitors and 1.0 is recommended for LCD
displays.
HIGH LIGHT is used to darken an area that is too bright through the use of a LEVEL
slider. When viewing the sun with an H-Alpha filter, adjusting the High Light value
can effectively “block out” the surface of the sun and enhance the view of prominences.
COLOR BAR is used to calibrate the monitor used for observing. For B&W
MallinCams, a GRAY BAR pattern is displayed, while for the Color MallinCams, a
COLOR BAR pattern is displayed. The COLOR BAR pattern can also be called up
while observing by lightly depressing the TOP and BOTTOM OSD buttons
simultaneously. To turn off the bars, just depress the two buttons lightly again.
ZOOM is used to activate the electronic zoom function. A LEVEL slider with 16 steps
between 1X and 2X is provided.
MOTION DETECT is used for observing moving objects in the sky – like meteors. 10
second, 30 second and 60 second triggers are provided along with a SENSITIVITY
adjusting slider to allow the used to make adjustments for varied sky conditions. A 48
zone lattice is programmable to set the active section of the CCD sensor. Switching
(10, 30, 60,OFF) is done via the Auxiliary Port on the back of the camera using pins 5
and 6.
EXIT has two options – SAVE and RESET. SAVE is used to save the adjustments
made to the menu items.. RESET is used to restore the factory default settings.
HYPER and HYPER PLUS Modes
In addition to 1/12,000th second to 2.1 second exposure modes: the MallinCam HYPER
has two long exposure modes – 7 seconds and 14 seconds. The MallinCam HYPER
PLUS adds two additional long exposure modes – 28 and 56 seconds. These modes
area activated through the use of switches on the side of the camera.
There is one switch on the HYPER (14-OFF-7) and a second is added to the PLUS
(X4).
2.1 seconds 14-OFF-7 in the MIDDLE Position and X4 in the DOWN Position
7 Seconds 14-OFF-7 in the DOWN Position and X4 in the DOWN Position
PELTIER COOLER
The MallinCam HYPER and HYPER PLUS has an internal mild Peltier or
Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC). It is activated through the use of a switch on the
side of the camera. Generally, when in the HYPER or HYPER PLUS modes, the TEC
should be set to ON. This will minimize the formation of warm pixels as well as help
control dark current noise.
The MallinCam has dual video outputs – one composite video and one S-video. Both
are live all the time and using both simultaneously does not degrade the image of either
as separate circuitry is involved. I use a small 3.5” LCD monitor mounted on my scope
either next to the focuser on my 17.5” AstroSystems TeleKit or on the base of the fork
arms on my CPC1100 and I use the composite video output for it.
Here is a view of the Watec 3.5” monitor on the CPC1100:
Here is an image of the Watec 3.5” monitor mounted next to the FeatherTouch focuser
on a 20” Starmaster
Having a small, shielded monitor close to the scope allows for easy centering of the
target DSO, focusing, and menu adjusting.
I use a 50’ S-video cable to send the MallinCam’s S-video signal to an amplified S-video
splitter that normally resides on a table either under the awning on my travel trailer or
inside my EZ-Up canopy. Here is a picture of my setup at Chiefland Astronomy Village
in February of 2008:
Connected to the amplified S-video splitter, I usually have the following items:
Regarding USB devices, I have used the ADSTech Video Express (about $40) and the
USB 2.0 device sold by Rock Mallin. I am currently evaluating the USB Converter sold
by The Imaging Source as an alternate to the ADSTech device. It has been highly
recommended by many who have been in the field of video astronomy and other related
video fields. I will have a better appreciation for the Imaging Source device once I get it
out under the stars.
1. Install the MallinCam in the telescope’s focuser using either the 1.25” supplied
adapter, the MallinCam MFR-3 focal reducer with Extension Rings, the
MallinCam Optical Window, or other optical accessories.
2. Set the HYPER/HYPER PLUS switches to the 2.1 second mode
3. Connect the video outputs from MallinCam to the monitors and then connect the
power to the camera. The 110 VAC to 12 VDC regulated power supply is
recommended; however, a 12 volt battery can be used.
4. Call up the MENU using the OSD and set the parameters to match the sky
conditions and type of targets to be observed. When the parameters have been
adjusted, SAVE them and EXIT the menu.
5. Call up the COLOR BARS and adjust the monitor parameters.
6. Focus the telescope using the tip mentioned at the start of these instructions.
7. Engage one of the HYPER modes and turn on the TEC
8. Start observing.
Once the camera is sending the image of a DSO to your monitor and/or computer via an
input device:
I rarely use an equatorially mounted telescope and find that for alt/az mounted scopes
like my CPC1100 and 17.5” AstroSystems TeleKit, the 28 second exposure mode on
the MallinCam can consistently be used for good imaging. Occasionally the 56 second
mode can be used, but it is highly dependent upon where in the sky the scope is aimed.
I am Rock Mallin’s sole authorize US distributor for the line of astronomical video
cameras that he produces. I can be contacted at:
jackhuerkamp@gmail.com
My website is:
www.WaningMoonII.com
Images I have taken with various MallinCam Video Cameras
No dark frames, flat frames or bias frames were used on the following images. Different
telescopes at different locations were used to obtain the frames used for the final posted
images.
MallinCam ULTRA